Richmond inflicted a 12-9 (81) - 7.8 (50) defeat on Geelong in the AFL Grand Final at the Gabba in Brisbane to claim back-to-back titles in the top flight of Australian Rules.

A Geelong side which featured Portlaoise's Zach Tuohy and Dingle's Mark O'Connor led 5.5 (35) - 3.2 (20) at the interval, but Richmond powered away from their rivals after the restart, with a four-goal haul from Dustin Martin helping his side to the title and securing him a record third Norm Smith medal. 

Tigers talisman Martin racked up 21 disposals as Richmond rallied before crushing the Cats with five goals in the final quarter in front of 30,000 spectators.

Winners in 2017 and 2019, the Melbourne-based Tigers have now claimed three of the last four crowns in the top flight of Australian Rules, a rich dividend for fans who experienced a barren 37-year stretch after their 1980 title.

The Cats' Zach Tuohy keeps close tabs on Kane Lambert of the Tigers
The Cat's Zach Tuohy keeps close tabs on Kane Lambert of the Tigers 

"It's been an incredible year," Tigers captain Trent Cotchin said afterwards.

"Full credit to Geelong. They challenged us but credit to our boys. They just continue to show a resilience that we know they can."

The AFL decider, delayed by a month due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, was the first held outside Melbourne in the league's history and also the first staged at night.

It was the first time two teams from the AFL's heartland state of Victoria had met in a Grand Final since the Cats defeated the Collingwood Magpies in 2011.

But with Melbourne still under lockdown and Victorians barred from leaving the state due to the pandemic, home fans were forced to watch the match from their living rooms.